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Chivas USA-Earthquakes Preview

Oct 19, 2010 - 8:03 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Chivas USA (8-16-4) at San Jose (12-9-7), 10:00 p.m. EDT

Despite having one of MLS' top scorers, the San Jose Earthquakes have gone cold offensively at times this season. That's especially true of their last two matches at home.

After consecutive shutouts at Buck Shaw Stadium, Chris Wondolowski and the Earthquakes will try to end their scoreless streak and snap a six-game winless stretch against Chivas USA in their home finale Wednesday night.

Wondolowski is second in MLS with 14 goals but his team has tallied 30, tied for the fewest in the Western Conference with Chivas.

San Jose (12-9-7) is coming off a 1-0 loss to Houston on Saturday, the second straight game it was shut out at home after falling 3-0 to Chicago on Sept. 29.

The Earthquakes, who still have a chance to climb as high as the sixth seed in the last week of the season, have failed to score in three of their last four games overall. They had three shots on goal to the Dynamo's seven last weekend.

"We were complacent, every one of us," captain Jason Hernandez told the Earthquakes' official website. "And we were naive in thinking we were going to come here and, just because we've had some good results in our last few games, get a win."

Hernandez's team has had difficulty at home all season, recording 21 of its 43 points there. However, while the Earthquakes would like to be playing better on their own pitch as they head into the postseason, they remain confident they'll find success at Buck Shaw Stadium.

"If you give us the choice, we'll still play at home every day," said Wondolowski, who is one goal shy of tying the club record set in 1999 by Ronald Cerritos. "I think that we can turn it around. We just can't say it, though. We have to act on it, and do by example."

The Earthquakes are 0-4-2 in their last six meetings with Chivas, including a 3-2 loss April 24. San Jose has suffered a pair of 1-0 defeats at home during that stretch.

Chivas (8-16-4), which has been eliminated from playoff contention, has lost four of five and is coming off a 2-1 defeat at Seattle on Friday. The club gave up two first-half scores and did not record a shot on goal in the first half before Jesus Padilla scored in injury time.

"We have given up early goals and have to try and chase the game and come up short," coach Martin Vasquez said. "If you get down 2-0 here, it's difficult."

Chivas has been outscored 11-2 in losing its last five road games.